How to choose the right Yorkie puppy: advice from breeders

Who are Yorkshire Terriers suitable for?

Small Yorkies are very similar to each other.
These dogs are very active and love to play. They are curious and explore everything around them. The Yorkshire Terrier is the choice of active people. He needs to spend at least three hours a day playing and running.

The breed is suitable for older people only if the owners adhere to an active lifestyle. Games, fun and walks are very important for pets. And Yorkies will have to forgive pranks; this breed does not tolerate punishment. Although these dogs are very trainable.

Additional Information. Terriers get along well with children. Puppies willingly accept children into their pack and play with them as equals. The only thing you need to watch out for is that the child does not injure the puppy, since its bones are fragile.

When choosing a Yorkie, you should know some of the nuances of this mischievous behavior:

• If the owners are away from home for a long time, he will be bored and mischievous. Everything that this furry little playful comes across will be bitten - the TV remote control, chair legs, newspapers, books, children's toys.
• If your Yorkie is not physically stressed, he quickly becomes lazy. The dog is prone to obesity, which in turn leads to other diseases.
• These curious hunters will stick their noses anywhere. They will follow their owners on their heels and will definitely steal something from under their hands into their bed.
• Yorkies are very loyal watchdogs and guards, they react to any extraneous sounds. Noise in the entrance, car horns, neighbors talking behind the wall will cause loud and prolonged barking.

If you give your dog enough time and exercise him physically, he will become a real member of the family. This is a faithful companion for many years. Yorkies are very affectionate and love to be in the company of the whole family. They love to wake up their owners in the morning, love to play and follow commands. Dogs of this breed get along easily with other pets and get along with cats.

Yoricks love to run on the grass

How to choose the right Yorkshire Terrier puppy?

In this article, we suggest you sort out this delicate point so that you can feel more confident the moment you decide to purchase a Yorkie puppy.

Many future Yorkie owners wonder how to be more prepared when buying a puppy. In this article, we propose to understand how to choose the right Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Only practical and really necessary advice. Nothing extra. Let’s make a reservation that this article is mainly intended for people who are going to get a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, as they say, “for themselves/for the soul.” If you intend to engage in breeding in the future or are planning to purchase a dog for participation in exhibitions, read our next article in this series, dedicated to choosing a puppy for these purposes.

So, let's start in order. Our advice, outlined below, is divided into two main categories: preliminary advice (the period when you will “scour” numerous offers on the Internet/newspapers in search of suitable options) and advice that will be useful to you during your actual visit to the puppy’s location. Both the first and the second are equally important.

Some professional breeders strongly recommend taking puppies only from professional nurseries. We believe that if you pay attention to our recommendations, your future pet will be healthy and cheerful. At the same time, he will bring you a lot of happiness in the future, regardless of his “professional” status.

Preliminary tips:

– pay more attention to the photos (they can tell you a lot);

– if there is no photo, do not hesitate to ask the breeder to send you a photo of the puppies (if you receive a refusal or assurances of the best characteristics of the litter, just ignore this advertisement; today there are a large number of Yorkshire Terrier puppies for sale; besides, we live in an age of developed information technology, and taking a photo on your phone/tablet is a matter of minutes);

– communication and general communication (of course, no one demands to hear a skilled marketer on the phone, however, as a result of the conversation with the breeder, you should be left with pleasant impressions; already on the phone, he should calmly and methodically answer all your questions);

– usually puppies from real breeders are kept with their parents – in most cases with their mother, so if your desire to see the parents is ignored, and you are offered to meet only the puppy during your visit, we would recommend that you refuse this option (among other things, seeing the parents will help You can form an opinion about the type of pet in the future);

Visit to the breeder:

– pay attention to the condition of the breeder’s home (if he lives in dirt, the puppies for sale were not kept in the best way);

– be sure to take a closer look at the puppy’s biological parents (their appearance, anthropometric data, activity and other parameters; at the same time, the puppy’s mother may seem somewhat exhausted - this is normal, especially when she has given birth to several puppies);

– look at the activity of the puppy and how he reacts to new people – read “irritants” (he should not hide in the farthest corner of the home; Yorkie puppies are a priori extremely inquisitive, and you should choose a curious and cheerful little spinster, which will spin tirelessly between your legs);

– in addition to the previous advice – pay attention to the puppy’s movements (they should not be clumsy, the puppy should run confidently enough and otherwise show its activity, should not fall over – that is, show poor coordination);

– and one more piece of advice regarding activity in case of having several puppies (the puppy’s activity will help you correlate it with your character and temperament; for example, we recommend dominant and prominent puppies for active people; for more passive and older people, for example, pensioners, we recommend opt for slightly more timid puppies);

– in order for the puppy’s activity to be natural, ask the breeder not to feed it immediately before your arrival (after eating, the puppy may be unnaturally lethargic and more passive than usual, and may want to sleep);

– be sure to take the puppy in your arms, look at how he reacts to this (“Your” puppy will always be disposed towards you; there should not be a sharp reaction - extreme squealing, whining, etc.; do not shy away from the puppy, even if you you don’t know which side to approach it from, because in less than an hour you will have to handle it entirely on your own);

– when the puppy is in your arms, carefully examine it and pay attention to the smell and other points (there should be no characteristic smell of urine, areas with bald patches on the skin, cuts, abrasions, peeling);

– examine the puppy’s ears; in many puppies, at the age of 3-4 months, they should already “stand up” (the skin on the ears should be elastic; however, this is not a mandatory rule, and the ears can still “rise” if they are still are not worth it; if you want a Yorkie with straight and strong ears, you should pay attention to this characteristic);

– reverse advice – if you want a handsome lop-eared dog, choose just such a one (and there are a large number of “hunters” for such Yorkies);

– look carefully at the eyes and look into the puppy’s mouth (the eyes should be black, moist, but at the same time without smudges or pus; the gums in the mouth are a rich pink color; at the age of 3-4 months there should be 6 in the upper and lower jaws incisors and 2 canines with correct bite without unnatural highlighting of any individual teeth);

– find out the type and order of feeding the puppy (it is extremely important to adhere to the established regime at first; then you can gradually and carefully make your adjustments);

– check the availability of the puppy’s veterinary passport (it must be in place; this is important not only from the point of view of pedigree and other registration issues - the passport must contain a note about the first vaccination, which is done at the age of 2 months);

– the integrity of a breeder can be easily determined by his attitude towards a potential new owner – a good breeder will definitely, and more than once, ask: who you are, for what purpose you are purchasing a puppy, and in what conditions it will live (in your answers, convince him that with the puppy everything will be fine; he is also a human and also worries about the baby);

– at the end of the meeting and a positive decision regarding the choice of a puppy, be sure to agree on possible contacts to clarify various issues (you will not be refused help).

We do not claim that the list of tips presented is exhaustive. However, taking it into account, your choice will undoubtedly be easier for you and of better quality. Good luck in choosing the right Yorkshire Terrier puppy!

What you need to prepare before buying a pet

Before choosing a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, you need to properly prepare the house for its arrival. To quickly adapt and comfort your pet, you should pay attention to the following areas:

• Sleeping area. For your little friend, you need to choose a secluded corner where he can retire. There is no need to equip a dark corner of the pantry, but it is better to place the bed so that the dog is not disturbed from sleeping and resting in its place. The place for the dog should not be on the aisle, near heating devices or in drafts.
• Active owners should also take care of joint vacations and trips. To do this, you should purchase a dog carrier. In it, the dog will be more comfortable on the road and traveling.
• Choosing a place for the toilet in advance is not easy. Especially for a small pet. At first, the dog will go “to relieve himself” anywhere. Having become a little older, the pet will determine one place for the toilet. You can put a tray there or put disposable diapers.
• It is better to equip the place for eating with a tripod and bowls made of stainless steel or ceramics. The containers must be clean and the water should be changed daily. Yorkies drink a lot; water should always be available at the feeding area.
• Feed. To know what to feed your baby, you should find out more about it from the breeder. A sudden change in food can lead to digestive disorders and allergic reactions. New products or feeds are introduced gradually and in small portions.
• Puppy hygiene. To maintain your baby’s health, you need to bathe him once a week with special shampoos, brush his teeth and comb his hair. After bathing, the dog should clean its ears with cotton swabs, trim its nails with a special nail clipper and nail files.
• A haircut. A hygienic haircut is required once every 3-4 weeks. To carry it out at home, you should get scissors, a trimmer, a dog clipper and a set of natural bristle combs.
• Walks. To walk your puppy, you should purchase a harness, a collar and a 3-5 meter leash. It is better to accustom a puppy to a harness and leash at home so that the dog does not get scared and quickly gets used to walking outside.
• A first aid kit for a baby should be selected together with a veterinarian. He will help you calculate the correct dosage for your dog and select essential medications.

A house for your pet
And of course, the yorkie should buy toys. It’s not easy to do this in advance, but your baby will definitely enjoy playing with a squeaky ball, a bone and a small soft toy. Further toys for your pet should be chosen based on its hobbies and preferences.

Yorkie behavior, coat and ear condition are important factors

When the issue with the kennel has been resolved, you can begin to choose the Yorkshire Terrier puppy itself. First of all, you should ask about the age of the animal. You can buy a pet starting from the age of 2-3 months, when it has been branded and all the necessary vaccinations have been completed.

When meeting a Yorkie, you should pay attention to his behavior. The animal should be playful, cheerful, active. Visually, the puppy should be strong, active and healthy.

It is equally important to assess the condition of the baby’s coat. A healthy representative of the Yorkshire Terrier litter has:

• shiny;
• thick;
• clean;
• pouring.

If a potential buyer notices flaking, dandruff or dry hair, this may indicate that the dog is not feeling well.

Another important point that you need to pay attention to is the ears. Most Yorkies have them standing since birth, which is considered the norm. During the period of teething or at the end of this process, they may fall.

Attention! Some representatives of the breed may have one ear standing up and the other falling forward. If a fallen ear is springy and firm at the base, it will likely rise soon.

Buyers often believe that pedigree Yorkshire Terrier puppies should have floppy ears. This is a wrong opinion! If you are getting a dog not just for yourself, but you plan to show it in the future, then it is worth purchasing an animal with erect ears. The main thing is that they are proportional and not very heavy.

You must purchase a puppy when it is over three months old.

What is the difference between a mini Yorkie and a standard Yorkie - similarities and differences

Among dog breeders and owners there are divisions into standard and mini. Their main differences are the weight and size of the pets. The mini typically weighs from 1.6 to 2.2 kg.

But there are also differences in appearance. Mini Yorkies are called "baby faces" because of their unusual skull structure. Their muzzle is smaller, the nose is not so elongated and is more turned up. The lifespan of miniature dogs is several years shorter. The hunter's instincts are more developed in the standard breed, while the mini breeds are more timid and vulnerable.

This is interesting! The mini breed cannot bear offspring well at home, so the “baby face” is more expensive and less common.

Difference between standard and mini

Who to choose when buying: a boy or a girl

Before choosing the gender of your pet, it is important to decide on the purpose of purchasing the dog. Who exactly do they want to see in the house - a brave companion or a plush, affectionate toy?

Initial tips

If you want to choose a less troublesome pet, then the gender of the dog does not play a special role. It is much more important how the dog is raised. Both girls and boys can be troublesome.

Important! The character of a Yorkie is formed in childhood and partly depends on upbringing and daily routine.

Pros of a bitch

The character of a Yorkie girl is more passive and docile. They are loving and open. Compared to other breeds, Yorkshire bitches are very clean when in heat.

Cons of a bitch

If a Yorkie girl was not adopted for the purpose of breeding and producing offspring, periodic estrus can cause inconvenience for the owners.

Pros of a male dog

Males are more cheerful and curious. They are active and love to play and run. Boys easily learn to go to the toilet in a diaper and do not mark the territory of their home on the walls.

Cons of a male dog

Males have more pronounced character and hunting instincts. On the street or in the house, boys can show aggression towards strangers and even bite.

Where is the best place to buy a puppy, and what is its price?

Purchasing a puppy from an ad and selecting one based on a photo is not the best option. You should get to know him and watch his behavior. After all, not only the owner chooses his puppy, but also his owner’s dog.

What makes up the price of a particular animal?

The average price of a puppy is from 14 to 30 thousand rubles (prices as of May 2020). This range depends on the place of purchase. You can buy a cheaper dog from the breeders, but you will see who will grow out of it in a year. But a pet with the appropriate certificates and documents will cost a lot.

The price of puppies from titled parents can reach up to 60 thousand rubles

Breeder or nursery

Contact information for a responsible breeder can be found at a veterinary clinic or at a dog show. You should ask the breeder about his experience in breeding. They often sell puppies from relatives’ dogs or underfeed the babies in order to sell them as mini ones at a higher price.

On a note! The nursery should also be chosen carefully (and it’s not about certification and documents). The nursery's activities are aimed at making a profit. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the conditions in which the litter is kept and the attitude towards the dogs. Psychological trauma can remain with the puppy for life.

Choosing a responsible breeder is problem #1

In order not to be disappointed in purchasing a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, it is recommended to start not by looking for a pet, but by choosing a good breeder. In this situation, you should not save your time. It is very important to meticulously and thoroughly study the offers on the market.

It is best to visit several nurseries. Communication with different breeders will allow the potential owner of a Yorkie to form his own opinion. It is very important when visiting nurseries to pay close attention to:

• litter quality;
• conditions provided for dogs to live;
• the presence of parental pedigrees and their characteristics.

Dirt on the floor and a persistent unpleasant odor are the first signs that you should refuse to purchase a puppy from this breeder. Also, a potential buyer should be wary of the lack of veterinary passports, puppy metrics, brand or chip.

When visiting nurseries, you need to pay attention to the care of the animals. The presence of cages for puppies and adult Yorkies is always alarming. It is equally important to visually assess the condition of the dogs. Protruding ridges, swollen bellies, tousled fur are a clear reason not to purchase from such a breeder.

Advice. You should be wary if a breeder offers to bring a puppy to a potential buyer's home for examination, and refuses to show the place where the Yorkshire Terrier is kept.

Kennels that conscientiously breed dogs provide each animal with proper care and balanced nutrition. This is why they will not sell any litter of Yorkie puppies under 3 months old. This is precisely the period when babies acquire relative independence.

It is better to purchase a Yorkie puppy from a specialized nursery.

Attentive and responsible breeders closely monitor the vaccination time of their puppies. They offer to purchase a pet with the first vaccination. At the same time, they tell the future owner about the baby’s reaction to the injection and a possible allergic reaction to a certain drug.